Manchester City have reportedly shown an interest in Arsenal transfer target Sverre Nypan, who has been compared to Martin Odegaard.
Arsenal have previously been linked with signing Nypan, with reports emerging in January that the 18-year-old was in London to speak with the club.
Nypan, who plays for Norwegian side Rosenborg, has become a young starlet in Norway, making 28 appearances in the Eliteserien last season, scoring eight goals and providing seven assists for Rosenborg. The new season starts later in March.
He’s also made appearances for all the Norway youth teams, with the closest he’s got to the first team being the U21s, for whom he’s made four appearances.
According to a fresh report by the Boot Room, Manchester City are ready to offer Nypan a move to the Etihad after he spoke with the City Football Group.
It was first understood that he was in talks over a move to their Spanish side Girona, but with a departure for Kevin de Bruyne in the summer looking more likely, City want his replacement now.
The report says that Rosenborg are demanding £20 million for Nypan, and will allow him to pick his next destination, as Arsenal and City emerge as the most likely suitors.
Could Nypan be the next Martin Odegaard for Arsenal?
Many comparisons have been made between Nypan and Odegaard, and not just because of their Norway connection.
At the same age that Nypan is now, Odegaard was also a hot property in Europe with attention from both Arsenal and Real Madrid. He made 24 Eredivisie appearances aged 18 for Heerenveen, scoring two goals and one assist.
Furthermore, Odegaard has always been a midfielder, but he can also play in attack, much like Nypan, who made appearances from central midfield, and up front for Rosenborg last season.
His current market value is estimated at £10 million, and Odegaard’s aged 18 was just £1.2m – so he’s already ahead of the current Arsenal captain. (Values sourced from TransferMarkt).
